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Boston Celtics' Gordon Hayward grimaces in pain in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in Cleveland. Hayward breaking his left ankle on a play. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

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(Boston, MA, 10/18/17) A fan show his support for injured Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Staff photo by Christopher Evans

Credit: Christopher Evans

TALKING POINTS: Coach Brad Stevens addresses his team during a timeout last night at the Garden.

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(Boston, MA, 10/18/17) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks over Boston Celtics forward Abdel Nader and center Aron Baynes during the first half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

Credit: Matt Stone

Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe fouls Boston Celtics center Al Horford during the first half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

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(Boston, MA, 10/18/17) Boston Celtics' Al Horford falls on Milwaukee Bucks' Matthew Dellavedova (8) as Dellavedova attempts to pass the ball he during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Staff photo by Christopher Evans

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(Boston, MA, 10/18/17) A young fan holds a sign for injured Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward during the second half of the NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the TD Garden on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

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(Boston, MA, 10/18/17) Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo scores on Boston Celtics center Aron Baynes as forward Semi Ojeleye looks on during the second half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

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(Boston, MA, 10/18/17) Boston Celtics center Aron Baynes defends Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe during the second half of the NBA game at the TD Garden on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

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(Boston, MA, 10/18/17) Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving helps up Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart during the second half of the NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the TD Garden on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt Stone

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(Boston, MA, 10/18/17) Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward is introduced prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Staff photo by Christopher Evans

Gordon Hayward, resting today in his room at New England Baptist Hospital following surgery Wednesday night to repair a fractured left tibia and dislocated ankle, now faces a long recovery process that has most likely ended his first season as a Celtic before it had a chance to begin.

The forward’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, said this morning that though there is no timetable, expectations for a return this season are unrealistic.

“I think so,” said Bartelstein. “But that’s not what we’re looking at right now. There’s no timetable. It’s a long process. He feels great that the surgery was successful.”

A major reason for that optimism, as Bartelstein told the Herald Wednesday night, was that tests revealed a so-called clean break, with a minimum of other damage to Hayward’s leg.

Hayward and his family were further encouraged after surgery, when doctors failed to discover any surprises or further complications.

“Things went perfectly in the surgery,” said Bartelstein. “But it’s a long road. It starts next week when he gets the stitches out, and then we go from there. The good news, though, is that there’s nothing they found that they didn’t expect to find.”

Hayward will stay in Boston during his rehabilitation.

Bartelstein said that Hayward’s spirit was also buoyed by the opportunity to address Celtics fans directly Wednesday night from his hospital bed.

Marcus Smart, in a perfectly staged pre-game ceremony, walked out to midcourt to address the fans, and instead called everyone’s direction to the Jumbotron, where a video taped by Hayward that afternoon began playing.

Hayward was in surgery at the time the actual video played.

“He’s a great, great kid who will come back greater than ever,” said Bartelstein.

Hayward’s gruesome accident — he landed awkwardly after attempting to catch a Kyrie Irving lob pass Tuesday night in Cleveland — both shocked and moved players across the league. Kobe Bryant tweeted an inspirational message Wednesday. Paul George, who suffered a compound fracture to his leg during a USA Basketball intra-squad scrimmage in 2014, told the Oklahoma City media about how Hayward’s accident was a painful reminder of his own accident.